ZnO nanoparticles improve bioactive compounds, enzymatic activity and zinc concentration in grapevine

Abstract

The low availability of micronutrients in the soil leads to a deficit of these micronutrients in crops, causing malnutrition in the population. Approximately 3,000 million people in the world have health problems caused by inadequate Zn intake. Agronomic biofortification is a way to produce crops rich in micronutrients and mitigate malnutrition problems. Nano biofortification with zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZnO) is a good strategy to mitigate and increase the nutritional content of the edible part of the plant. The aim was to determine the effect of foliar spraying with NPs-ZnO on yield and biosynthesis of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds and their bioaccumulation. In this study, the effect of foliar fertilization with NPs-ZnO: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L^-1, on yield, the content of bioactive compounds and their bioaccumulation in grapevine berries was evaluated. The distribution of the treatments was under a completely randomized design, each treatment consisted of 10 plants, each representing one experimental unit. The treatments were applied by foliar sprays at fruit formation, in veraison and 15 days before harvest. Foliar spraying with NPs-ZnO positively modifies yield, the content of bioactive compounds, and their bioaccumulation. Doses of 50-75 mg L^-1 of NPs-ZnO increased crop yield, and oenological parameters. In addition, all doses evaluated modified enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and improving Zn concentration in grapevine berries. Foliar spraying of NPs-ZnO is an alternative to improve grape quality and yield, in addition to enriching its nutritional and antioxidant content.